1 00:00:00,569 --> 00:00:07,572 The power of the sea is awesome. 2 00:00:07,572 --> 00:00:11,574 Its large waves have three tons of pressure per square foot. 3 00:00:11,574 --> 00:00:18,577 A wave ten feet high and one mile wide has more than 300 million pounds of power. 4 00:00:18,577 --> 00:00:24,580 A force equal to an atom bomb. 5 00:00:24,580 --> 00:00:29,582 Millions of Americans throng to the beaches each summer weekend. 6 00:00:29,582 --> 00:00:33,584 All of us assume we are safe from tidal waves. 7 00:00:33,584 --> 00:00:37,586 Our sense of security can suddenly be shattered. 8 00:00:37,586 --> 00:00:42,588 This happened in the Kurole Islands, north of Japan in 1969, 9 00:00:42,588 --> 00:00:46,590 as seen in this extraordinary film of the actual tidal wave. 10 00:00:59,595 --> 00:01:06,599 In 1979, tidal waves killed 200 people in Indonesia. 11 00:01:06,599 --> 00:01:12,601 Where will they strike next? 12 00:01:30,609 --> 00:01:37,613 Hilo, Hawaii, a peaceful coastal town located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 13 00:01:37,613 --> 00:01:46,617 Few places in the United States are as blessed with a combination of sun, sea, and beautiful weather as Hilo, Hawaii. 14 00:01:46,617 --> 00:01:51,619 At the same time, few places are as constantly threatened. 15 00:01:52,619 --> 00:02:00,623 On April Fool's Day 1946, a tremendous tidal wave took the residents of Hilo by surprise. 16 00:02:13,629 --> 00:02:19,631 The tidal wave raced up the town's main river, destroying Hilo's only railroad. 17 00:02:20,632 --> 00:02:25,634 These photographs show a man on the dock being swept to his death by the giant wave. 18 00:02:25,634 --> 00:02:29,636 Seconds later, he is gone. 19 00:02:30,636 --> 00:02:33,638 More than 170 people were killed. 20 00:02:33,638 --> 00:02:41,641 Hilo was left a water-soaked ghost town, still vulnerable to another tidal wave attack at any time. 21 00:02:42,642 --> 00:02:48,644 Nothing makes us feel as helpless as facing natural disasters. 22 00:02:48,644 --> 00:02:57,648 We're frightened by the prospect of feeling an earthquake or being caught in a tornado, a thunderstorm, or a fire. 23 00:02:57,648 --> 00:03:06,652 None of them strikes with the suddenness and savagery of the so-called tsunami, the Japanese word for tidal wave. 24 00:03:07,653 --> 00:03:13,656 They are born miles below the surface, underneath the seemingly tranquil ocean floor. 25 00:03:13,656 --> 00:03:21,659 Strong underwater disturbances such as a volcanic eruption may generate a tsunami. 26 00:03:36,666 --> 00:03:41,668 Underwater earthquakes are the most common cause of tidal waves. 27 00:03:41,668 --> 00:03:46,670 When the earth shifts vertically, tons of water are forced upward. 28 00:03:46,670 --> 00:03:53,674 A series of tidal waves form on the surface, spreading out from the epicenter in every direction. 29 00:03:54,674 --> 00:03:59,676 The massive energy of the wave pulsates to the deepest depths. 30 00:04:00,677 --> 00:04:05,679 Once born, the tsunami cannot be stopped or controlled. 31 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:14,683 From this origin, tidal waves travel thousands of miles, losing very little energy. 32 00:04:14,683 --> 00:04:22,687 On the open ocean, the wave is only a few inches high, passing undetected beneath ships at sea. 33 00:04:23,687 --> 00:04:37,693 Races across the ocean at speeds in excess of 500 miles per hour, each wave more than 100 miles long. 34 00:04:38,694 --> 00:04:43,696 As the tsunami enters shallow water, it suddenly slows down. 35 00:04:43,696 --> 00:04:49,699 The forward energy can rise up hundreds of feet, forming a terrifying wall of water. 36 00:04:53,700 --> 00:05:05,706 The tsunami that hit the island of Oahu in 1946 shows how a seemingly harmless wave can quickly inundate a shoreline. 37 00:05:14,710 --> 00:05:21,713 The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was established in Honolulu to predict where tidal waves will strike. 38 00:05:22,713 --> 00:05:27,716 Seismographs monitor the Pacific for earthquakes which can generate tsunamis. 39 00:05:30,717 --> 00:05:35,719 The Warning Center is in constant touch with tide stations throughout the Pacific. 40 00:05:35,719 --> 00:05:43,723 These stations measure changes in the water level, indicating a tidal wave's exact location and direction. 41 00:05:44,723 --> 00:05:51,726 Once its location is known, the wave's estimated time of arrival to any area can be calculated. 42 00:05:51,726 --> 00:05:53,727 A warning can then be issued. 43 00:05:55,728 --> 00:06:01,731 These procedures were in full operation at the Warning Center on May 22, 1960. 44 00:06:03,732 --> 00:06:09,735 In search of will recreate the events of this day, a day the residents of Hilo will never forget. 45 00:06:11,735 --> 00:06:18,739 9.38 a.m. 7,000 miles away, a tremendous earthquake shatters the coast of Chile. 46 00:06:22,740 --> 00:06:27,743 The Tsunami Warning Center is in constant contact with the Earth's earthquake intensity. 47 00:06:29,744 --> 00:06:31,744 Tom, we've got a big one here. 48 00:06:32,745 --> 00:06:33,745 Where do we have it? 49 00:06:33,745 --> 00:06:36,747 Well, it looks like a big pea. 50 00:06:37,747 --> 00:06:39,748 Looks like we've got a real good quake here. 51 00:06:41,749 --> 00:06:43,750 It is now a race against time. 52 00:06:44,750 --> 00:06:47,752 The man at the Warning Center first saw the earthquake. 53 00:06:47,752 --> 00:06:48,752 8.5, Tom. 54 00:06:50,753 --> 00:06:51,753 We've got a tsunami. 55 00:06:57,756 --> 00:07:02,758 Throughout the morning, the residents of Hilo, Hawaii go about their usual business, 56 00:07:02,758 --> 00:07:06,760 as yet unaware of a sequence of events taking place. 57 00:07:08,761 --> 00:07:12,763 10.27 a.m., tied in a tight tight tight tight line, 58 00:07:12,763 --> 00:07:15,764 and the city of Hilo is set to take off in the next few days. 59 00:07:16,765 --> 00:07:21,767 10.27 a.m., tied information is requested from Valparaiso, Chile, 60 00:07:21,767 --> 00:07:24,768 the closest tied station to the epicenter. 61 00:07:25,769 --> 00:07:30,771 From Chile, it will take the wave 15 hours to reach the Hawaiian Islands. 62 00:07:32,772 --> 00:07:37,774 12.18 p.m., the first tied report comes in from Chile. 63 00:07:37,774 --> 00:07:39,775 We're reporting unusual wave activity. 64 00:07:40,775 --> 00:07:41,776 We've got a good wave here. 65 00:07:41,776 --> 00:07:43,777 We better give a Pacific-wide advisory. 66 00:07:43,777 --> 00:07:45,778 We do have a tsunami spreading across the Pacific. 67 00:07:54,782 --> 00:08:00,784 James' look of the Army Corps of Engineers is sent to Hilo to record eye-witness observations. 68 00:08:01,785 --> 00:08:07,788 So little was known about a tsunami's impact that a firsthand account was deemed extremely valuable. 69 00:08:09,788 --> 00:08:13,790 James' look decides that a bridge on the bay itself is a safe location. 70 00:08:15,791 --> 00:08:19,793 He starts to record normal changes in the water level and currents. 71 00:08:20,793 --> 00:08:26,796 12.19 p.m., the decision is made to issue a preliminary bulletin to the Hawaiian Civil Defense. 72 00:08:27,796 --> 00:08:29,797 This is a seismic sea wave advisory bulletin. 73 00:08:30,798 --> 00:08:32,799 A severe earthquake has occurred in Chile. 74 00:08:32,799 --> 00:08:35,800 It is possible that damaging sea wave has been generated. 75 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:40,802 We do not know at this time, but tied reports are expected late this afternoon. 76 00:08:41,803 --> 00:08:45,805 The decision is made to issue a preliminary bulletin to the Hawaiian Civil Defense. 77 00:08:45,805 --> 00:08:48,806 We do not know at this time, but tied reports are expected late this afternoon. 78 00:08:52,808 --> 00:08:56,810 At five o'clock, the wave passes the halfway point to Hilo. 79 00:08:58,810 --> 00:09:01,812 It has been 14 years since the last major tsunami. 80 00:09:02,812 --> 00:09:07,814 Forgotten is the fact that Hilo's Bay acts as a funnel, sucking in a wave, 81 00:09:08,815 --> 00:09:11,816 further magnifying its height and destructive force. 82 00:09:15,818 --> 00:09:20,820 12.19 p.m., the general warning is issued to the public. 83 00:09:26,823 --> 00:09:30,825 At 6.47 p.m., the general warning is issued to the public. 84 00:09:31,825 --> 00:09:35,827 Attention all stations, attention all stations, this is the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. 85 00:09:36,827 --> 00:09:38,828 This is a tsunami warning. 86 00:09:38,828 --> 00:09:42,830 A severe earthquake in Chile has generated a tsunami which is spreading over the Pacific Ocean. 87 00:09:43,831 --> 00:09:47,832 The estimated time of arrival of the first wave is 12 midnight for the island of Hawaii 88 00:09:48,833 --> 00:09:50,834 and about 30 minutes later for the island of Oahu. 89 00:09:51,834 --> 00:09:53,835 The danger may last for several hours. 90 00:09:54,836 --> 00:09:56,836 The intensity of the wave cannot be predicted. 91 00:10:06,841 --> 00:10:09,842 9 p.m., May 22, 1960. 92 00:10:10,843 --> 00:10:13,844 The tidal wave races toward the Hawaiian islands. 93 00:10:14,845 --> 00:10:18,846 Tide stations closer to Hawaii begin reporting to the warning center. 94 00:10:19,847 --> 00:10:25,849 Getting some information from Tahiti, the reporting unusual wave activity at 09 p.m. our time. 95 00:10:26,850 --> 00:10:28,851 Hilo is only three hours away. 96 00:10:32,853 --> 00:10:37,855 From his observation point on the bridge, James look waits for the water to recede. 97 00:10:37,855 --> 00:10:40,856 The first sign of the tidal waves approach. 98 00:10:41,857 --> 00:10:43,858 Hilo's fishermen know the sea. 99 00:10:44,858 --> 00:10:48,860 They rush towards open water hoping to escape the waves' devastating impact. 100 00:10:53,862 --> 00:10:56,863 Shortly after midnight, a small wave enters the bay. 101 00:10:57,864 --> 00:11:00,865 It has been 15 hours since the earth shook in Chile. 102 00:11:01,866 --> 00:11:06,868 The men who have relentlessly tracked the wave are now powerless. 103 00:11:08,869 --> 00:11:12,871 12.40 a.m., a second wave enters Hilo Bay. 104 00:11:14,871 --> 00:11:17,873 Ignoring the warnings, Julius residents come to the shore. 105 00:11:18,873 --> 00:11:23,875 These actual photographs were taken minutes before the giant waves struck. 106 00:11:23,875 --> 00:11:28,878 At 1 a.m., the water recedes, sucked into the approaching tidal wave. 107 00:11:53,889 --> 00:11:55,890 The waves are now clear. 108 00:11:59,892 --> 00:12:01,893 The waves are now clear. 109 00:12:02,893 --> 00:12:04,894 The waves are now clear. 110 00:12:05,894 --> 00:12:07,895 The waves are now clear. 111 00:12:08,896 --> 00:12:10,897 The waves are now clear. 112 00:12:11,897 --> 00:12:13,898 The waves are now clear. 113 00:12:14,898 --> 00:12:16,899 The waves are now clear. 114 00:12:17,900 --> 00:12:19,901 The waves are now clear. 115 00:12:19,901 --> 00:12:21,901 The waves are now clear. 116 00:12:26,904 --> 00:12:28,905 The waves are now clear. 117 00:12:29,905 --> 00:12:31,906 The waves are now clear. 118 00:12:32,906 --> 00:12:34,907 The waves are now clear. 119 00:12:35,908 --> 00:12:37,909 The waves are now clear. 120 00:12:38,909 --> 00:12:40,910 The waves are now clear. 121 00:12:41,910 --> 00:12:43,911 The waves are now clear. 122 00:12:44,912 --> 00:12:46,913 The waves are now clear. 123 00:12:49,914 --> 00:12:51,915 The waves are now clear. 124 00:12:52,915 --> 00:12:54,916 The waves are now clear. 125 00:12:55,917 --> 00:12:57,918 The waves are now clear. 126 00:12:58,918 --> 00:13:00,919 The waves are now clear. 127 00:13:01,919 --> 00:13:03,920 The waves are now clear. 128 00:13:04,921 --> 00:13:06,922 The waves are now clear. 129 00:13:07,922 --> 00:13:09,923 The waves are now clear. 130 00:13:10,923 --> 00:13:12,924 The waves are now clear. 131 00:13:13,925 --> 00:13:15,926 The waves are now clear. 132 00:13:16,926 --> 00:13:18,927 The waves are now clear. 133 00:13:20,928 --> 00:13:23,929 Eight waves attacked Hilo. 134 00:13:24,930 --> 00:13:27,931 More than 250 homes and businesses were demolished. 135 00:13:28,932 --> 00:13:30,932 Another 300 damaged. 136 00:13:31,933 --> 00:13:34,934 Loss of property amounted to more than 40 million dollars. 137 00:13:40,937 --> 00:13:42,938 61 people were killed. 138 00:13:43,938 --> 00:13:45,939 Another 200 were caught in the waves. 139 00:13:46,940 --> 00:13:49,941 James Look's body was found near the bridge he had thought was safe. 140 00:13:51,942 --> 00:13:54,943 Ironically, his detailed notes and eye witness accounts were lost. 141 00:13:59,945 --> 00:14:01,946 Two decades have not wiped out the memories. 142 00:14:02,947 --> 00:14:05,948 This mark here shows the 1960 May 23 paddle wave. 143 00:14:06,949 --> 00:14:09,950 This is how high the wave has come in this particular restaurant. 144 00:14:09,950 --> 00:14:12,951 I find that being curious is one of the worst things that can happen to a human being. 145 00:14:13,952 --> 00:14:16,953 People should never be curious in the event that there is a paddle wave coming. 146 00:14:17,954 --> 00:14:20,955 The wave had hit us and the dining room set went against the back door so we couldn't go out anyway. 147 00:14:21,955 --> 00:14:24,957 Things happened so fast that I was running away from the wave 148 00:14:25,957 --> 00:14:27,958 and I just couldn't get out of the way. 149 00:14:28,958 --> 00:14:30,959 I was in the back door and I was in the back door. 150 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:33,961 I was in the back door and I was in the back door. 151 00:14:34,961 --> 00:14:36,962 I was in the back door and I was in the back door. 152 00:14:36,962 --> 00:14:41,964 I was in the back door and I just couldn't think about anything else but running. 153 00:14:42,965 --> 00:14:45,966 Harry Kim of the Hawaii County Civil Defense. 154 00:14:46,967 --> 00:14:50,968 The 1960 tsunami was a tragic experience I think primarily 155 00:14:51,969 --> 00:14:56,971 because the Hawaii County government, the state government, territory, a civil defense to me. 156 00:14:57,971 --> 00:15:00,973 I cannot put it in no other words except we watched the job. 157 00:15:01,973 --> 00:15:04,975 The warning was poor, the evacuation system was nonexistent, 158 00:15:04,975 --> 00:15:07,976 the setting up of inundation lines were nonexistent. 159 00:15:08,976 --> 00:15:13,979 The 1960 wave proved that something had to be done to prevent another disaster. 160 00:15:14,979 --> 00:15:16,980 To rebuild the downtown seemed futile. 161 00:15:17,980 --> 00:15:23,983 Unless the right answers were found, Hilo would be doomed to more death and destruction. 162 00:15:26,984 --> 00:15:31,987 The Look Laboratory, named after James Look, was set up at the University of Hawaii 163 00:15:31,987 --> 00:15:34,988 to help solve Hilo's unique problem. 164 00:15:35,989 --> 00:15:38,990 Simulated waves are generated in wave tanks. 165 00:15:39,990 --> 00:15:44,993 Preventing tidal waves seems unlikely, but scientists such as Professor Franz Gerritzen 166 00:15:45,993 --> 00:15:47,994 hope they can improve tsunami predictions. 167 00:15:48,994 --> 00:15:52,996 Dr. Gerritzen explains why Hilo is so vulnerable to tsunami attack. 168 00:15:53,997 --> 00:15:59,999 The city of Hilo has been hit hard several times from various tsunamis. 169 00:15:59,999 --> 00:16:04,001 Hilo is situated on a bay inside of a harbor. 170 00:16:05,002 --> 00:16:10,004 And the geometry of the bay and the special location of the bay make it very vulnerable 171 00:16:11,004 --> 00:16:19,008 because tsunami waves that arrive in the area are magnified, as you may call it, inside the bay 172 00:16:20,008 --> 00:16:22,009 and create large run-ups near the shoreline. 173 00:16:23,010 --> 00:16:26,011 Such happened in the 1960 tsunami wave in Hilo 174 00:16:26,011 --> 00:16:32,014 when a bore, a breaking tsunami wave entered Hilo Bay and did great damage on the shoreline. 175 00:16:33,014 --> 00:16:35,015 The residents of Hilo had had enough. 176 00:16:36,015 --> 00:16:43,019 Their solution? Rebuild the devastated downtown away from the shore, away from the waves' destructive force. 177 00:16:44,019 --> 00:16:47,020 A 300-acre park now confronts the sea. 178 00:16:48,021 --> 00:16:54,024 The open park space acts as a buffer, protecting the 27,000 residents of Hilo. 179 00:16:54,024 --> 00:17:01,027 When the next giant wave strikes, hopefully only trees and grass will be destroyed. 180 00:17:03,028 --> 00:17:09,030 Since World War II, more Americans have been killed by tidal waves than by earthquakes. 181 00:17:10,031 --> 00:17:14,033 Most of the United States is relatively safe from tsunami attack. 182 00:17:15,033 --> 00:17:20,035 But the possibility does exist that the violent forces of the Earth and the sea may combine, 183 00:17:20,035 --> 00:17:24,037 sending a tidal wave speeding toward our populated shores. 184 00:17:29,039 --> 00:17:36,042 Thirty million Americans live on the West Coast, most never having experienced a tidal wave. 185 00:17:37,043 --> 00:17:41,045 People associate the West Coast with earthquakes, not tidal waves. 186 00:17:42,045 --> 00:17:47,047 What would happen if a tidal wave were racing towards Southern California? 187 00:17:47,047 --> 00:17:50,049 In search of simulates this possibility. 188 00:18:01,054 --> 00:18:05,055 Let's assume an earthquake rocks Japan, generating a tsunami. 189 00:18:07,056 --> 00:18:12,059 Commander Ed Bernard of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center will issue the alert. 190 00:18:13,059 --> 00:18:14,059 Tsunami is heading for the West Coast. 191 00:18:14,059 --> 00:18:17,061 The better issue is a tsunami warning supplement. 192 00:18:18,061 --> 00:18:23,063 The expected time arrival of a wave on the West Coast is four hours. 193 00:18:26,065 --> 00:18:29,066 The Coast Guard in Los Angeles would receive the bullet. 194 00:18:30,067 --> 00:18:32,068 Okay, just got a tsunami warning. 195 00:18:33,068 --> 00:18:35,069 The H.E.A. Southern California is about four hours. 196 00:18:36,069 --> 00:18:38,070 You want to take care of the U.M.I.B., I'll take care of the warning message. 197 00:18:38,070 --> 00:18:43,072 Handle San Diego and go north. I'll take Santa Barbara to the south with the harm department. 198 00:18:46,074 --> 00:18:51,076 All Coast Guard vessels, all Coast Guard vessels, this is RCC, RCC Channel E3. 199 00:18:52,076 --> 00:18:57,079 A Rosary tsunami has been generated off of the Japanese Coast. 200 00:18:58,079 --> 00:18:59,080 The H.E.A. is four hours. 201 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,081 Take necessary evasive action. 202 00:19:03,081 --> 00:19:06,083 Attention attention, this is a tidal wave warning. 203 00:19:06,083 --> 00:19:11,085 The tidal wave makes nice and neat. Please evacuate immediately and move to higher ground. 204 00:19:12,085 --> 00:19:14,086 Attention attention, this is a tidal wave warning. 205 00:19:15,087 --> 00:19:21,089 The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tidal wave warning for Southern California. 206 00:19:22,090 --> 00:19:27,092 The civil defense has called for an immediate evacuation of all coastal areas. 207 00:19:28,093 --> 00:19:34,095 The U.S. Coast Guard advises boat owners to move their boats out to sea immediately. 208 00:19:35,096 --> 00:19:38,097 Police ask curiosity seekers to stay away from the coast. 209 00:19:43,099 --> 00:19:45,100 Would Los Angeles be prepared? 210 00:19:46,101 --> 00:19:50,103 If an actual tidal wave was coming, would the warning be heated? 211 00:19:51,103 --> 00:19:57,106 Experts agree it is not a question of whether another tidal wave will strike, but when. 212 00:20:05,109 --> 00:20:18,115 What scientists fear most is a tsunami caused by a local earthquake. 213 00:20:19,116 --> 00:20:22,117 Lieutenant Stephen Frolic of the U.S. Coast Guard. 214 00:20:23,117 --> 00:20:27,119 If an earthquake occurred fairly close to the coastline in Southern California, 215 00:20:28,120 --> 00:20:29,120 in other words maybe a couple miles offshore, 216 00:20:29,120 --> 00:20:35,123 we would probably not have time if a tsunami was generated to really warn anyone. 217 00:20:36,123 --> 00:20:42,126 Hopefully if it was that close we wouldn't have to worry about it building up enough to have any great effect. 218 00:20:43,126 --> 00:20:45,127 But if there was it would be almost instantaneous. 219 00:20:46,128 --> 00:20:48,129 The large earthquake occurred in Southern California. 220 00:20:49,129 --> 00:20:54,131 If you were on the beach you felt the earth shaking strongly enough that you had to hold on to something to keep it falling down. 221 00:20:55,132 --> 00:20:56,132 That's nature's warning to you. 222 00:20:56,132 --> 00:21:03,135 We cannot possibly get a warning to you in five minutes, but you can save yourself by getting to higher ground. 223 00:21:18,142 --> 00:21:24,145 Coming up next, in search of continues with a revealing look at the survivors of the atomic tragedy of Hiroshima. 224 00:21:25,145 --> 00:21:34,149 Then the FBI behavioral unit creates the profile of a brutal killer and agents track him down on FBI The Untold Stories. 225 00:21:35,150 --> 00:21:42,153 And later tonight, Histories Mysteries journeys to the Southwest to investigate the strange disappearance of the Anasazi people. 226 00:21:43,153 --> 00:21:46,155 At 8 here on the History Channel where the past comes alive.